We heard from Prime Minister Justin
Trudeau today doubling down on no apology one day after the ethics
commissioner ruled he violated conflict of interest rules in the SNC-Lavalin
controversy. Earlier this year, Trudeau and members of his staff were accused of
inappropriately pressuring former attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybold to
intervene in a criminal case against SNC, and SNC as we’ve been
talking about this evening and throughout the week is a big engineering
and construction company mainly headquartered in Quebec. The ethics commissioner determined Trudeau tried to unduly influence Wilson-Raybould and
further the private interests of SNC. Jody Wilson-Raybould, as I mentioned, is
the former Minister of Justice and Attorney General now an independent B.C.
MP and candidate for Vancouver-Granville. She joins us from Vancouver. Hi there, Ms. Wilson-Raybould, nice to see you. Thanks for making time for us. Pleasure, thanks to be here. So, the RCMP has used some unusual language with CBC to make it
apparent that they are seriously looking at launching an investigation into the
Prime Minister’s actions based on the ethics commissioner’s reports. Have you been contacted by the RCMP on this? I actually haven’t seen what the
RCMP has said today but I leave any potential investigation in their capable
hands. They basically said that they usually never comment unless they lay
charges but they did tell the CBC that they’re examining the matter carefully was all available information they’ll take appropriate actions as
required. I’m just wondering have they reached out to you at all in this? They haven’t reached out to me on this, no. Do you think the RCMP should investigate? I’m asking you because the opposition in response to the ethics commissioners
report released yesterday said that this this further makes the case for an
investigation. Do you agree? Well, I mean there were revelations for me and in the
commissioner’s report, but again in terms of criminal investigations, I leave that
determination to the to the RCMP. What revelations were there for you in
that report? Well, I mean I’ve read the report many times now as you can
appreciate. There was many conversations that were being had by
former colleagues of mine political staffers around SNC meeting with
officials of the company and having discussions that I wasn’t aware of, not
to say I have to be aware of every particular discussion but that was one
revelation the Commissioner asked me back in June — early June — when I met with
him about my knowledge of those two legal opinions. That came as a great surprise to me again I had no knowledge of those either. So just to be clear, you
didn’t know that in the reported details that the prime
minister’s office had previously reached out to former Supreme
Court justices and then asked you to seek a legal opinion as well. You weren’t aware that they had already done so? I had no knowledge of that. And what about, when you talk about SNC and the extent of its involvement did you know
for example that SNC specifically asked officials in the Minister of Finance’s
Office to attach the DPA to the budget implementation bill? That was of surprise to me, I did not have knowledge of that either. Were you aware, I guess, of
the extent as far as public records are available that SNC lobbied the federal
government for the DPA? I was aware that there were a number of meetings that
were had between SNC and various ministers. I did not have any medians nor
did anybody within my exempt staff have meetings with that company but I was
aware of some engagement in that regard and recognized that they as a
company have the ability to lobby officials. Do you feel that the level of
engagement at the time was inappropriate and if so, did you do anything about it? Well, I was aware that there were meetings. I didn’t know the nature of
those meetings or what was said. I had discussions with former colleagues
of mine that had expressed that they had had conversations but the nature of
those conversations and the detail of those conversations was not made
available to me. I guess what I’m getting at is did you believe at the time that the introduction of the DPA or the sort of the Prime
Minister’s attachment to implementing one or other ministers attachment to
implementing one — Do you think it was attached to SNC’s desire to? And if you did feel like — did you have a feeling at the time that that was
inappropriate? Well, it was made clear in the commissioner’s report that I was
of the view that the integrity regime or the deferred prosecution regime was
being introduced with SNC in mind. I undertook, as I was the Minister of
Justice, to amend the Criminal Code to bring in the new regime and provide that
additional discretionary tool to prosecutors but the extent of the
relationship or the engagement or the lobbying of that company I was not aware
of. And you know, to be honest, I find it curious that there was such detailed
discussion that was not brought to my attention. Would you have introduced that mechanism for prosecutors? Would you have attached yourself to the DPA had you have known the extent of
SNC’s involvement? Well, I really never liked to speak in hypotheticals
but I think it’s important to separate out the deferred prosecution regime and
the ability for a prosecutor to exercise their discretion and use that tool. From what the Commissioner reported on and the relationship between and among the
Prime Minister’s Office, SNC and various other ministers’ offices — they’re two
separate issues. The regime that was brought into the Criminal Code in
September of 2018 is a tool for prosecutors and — But we know now that SNC very
specifically asked for it right? And we know they asked for a lot. I take your point that it’s separate but I think in the minds of
Canadians who are reading through that report the introduction of that regime
is seen to be attached to SNC wanting it to be introduced. Would you, had you known
the full extent of SNC’s involvement, been supportive of the introduction of
that is even an option for prosecutors? Well, I’ll answer the question this way —
and I’m not trying to be evasive — I have confidence in the institutions of our
government and that includes the independence of the prosecutor’s office
and the independence of the Office of the Attorney General. I saw validation of that independence and the importance of it in the
commissioner’s report yesterday. So having said that, providing a
discretionary tool to the Director of Public Prosecutions in this case whether
or not to enter into discussions around negotiations of a deferred prosecution
agreement I have confidence in our institutions and I believe the
independence of our institutions and that our institutions are functioning
properly was reflected and validated in the commissioner’s report. So it’s not the tool being provided to prosecutors that is a problem or that is of concern,
because we have a prosecution service in this country that does their job, is
thorough, and we have an Office of the Attorney General of Canada likewise that
is an independent office, and those two offices from my perspective were
validated yesterday in the commissioner’s report. When you testified
before the Justice Committee originally months ago you were asked pretty
specifically I think by Elizabeth May and by Lisa Raitt whether you felt and I’ll read the question actually specifically Do you believe that
individually or collectively the pressure to which you were subjected
contravened the Criminal Code and now and asked if
you thought anything illegal happened. You at the time said no. Do you still believe that? Well, I based my answer on what I have been privy to, the
engagements that I have had, how things have unfolded my understanding of the
integrity regime and and my engagements with various people that were reflected
in the commissioner’s report. Based on the relevant information that I have during
the time that I was the Attorney General I still stand by that answer that I gave
at the committee. Having said that, and I’m not inferring anything there’s, as I said, information that came to light when I read the commissioner’s report and
I leave it to the RCM Police to determine if there’s other relevant
information that’s pertinent to the to answering the question that
you asked. Just so that I’m clear though based on what you know and the
information that you have available to yourself you still would say that
nothing illegal happened where the pressure put on you is concerned. No, but I do look at the commissioner’s report and and the violation of a
conflict of interest act incredibly seriously and I hope that Canadians and
and certainly that the government looks at that report seriously and ensures
that something like this never happens again. The Prime Minister continues to reiterate that he says he won’t apologize for standing up for Canadian jobs. He continues to reiterate that that was his motivation. Do you think that his motivation was
different than that, and if so what was it? Well, I can’t speak to the motivation
of the Prime Minister. I’ve heard him speak about jobs and I don’t think anybody would disagree that jobs are incredibly important to Canadians and to
elected officials to ensure we do everything we can for Canadians to have
good, well-paying jobs. We all agree on that. The issue here, and what was
reflected in the commissioner’s report, is around our institutions of government,
around ensuring that we uphold their independence and uphold the rule of law. That was what I was doing in my role then as the Attorney General. I believe that’s what Canadians care about and will take if there’s lessons to be taken
from this some eight months that we’ve been having this conversation is that we
all must remain vigilant and we all have a role to play in ensuring our
institutions, the fundamental tenants of our democracy, are upheld. That’s what makes our our country great and that’s what I’m hearing when I speak to people in Vancouver-Granville, for example, and across the country about the past eight
months and how we need to ensure that the people that are making decisions on
public policy issues or are tasked with upholding the
independence of our institutions are making those decisions based on
fundamental values and principles that we’ve spent years as a nation fostering
and ensuring that they do everything they can to ensure that they have the
trust of the individuals that elected them. That’s the obligation of any
elected public official. [VASSY] Before I let you go right up until the time the Prime
Minister removed you from caucus you said you were a proud member of the Liberal
Party. You know that in recent history various ethics scandals involving
Liberal governments during a campaign eventually helped defeat those
governments. What would you say to Liberals, former colleagues, former party members of yours who would accuse you of helping to elect now a Conservative government? Well, I reject that. I am the same person that I was when I
started knocking on doors 15 months before the last election. I ascribe fundamentally to the values that I see in the Liberal Party — values of equality
and justice and inclusion. I haven’t changed, and that’s what I talk to people
about with people here in my riding and I didn’t do or take any actions as the
Attorney General because I wanted somebody to be elected. [VASSY] But what if that happens? Well, I would not change the actions that I took. I believe that Canadians want to see in their public officials particularly ones that hold
offices like the Attorney General of Canada that they will be making
decisions not based on political considerations but based on a
fundamental understanding of the law based on a fundamental understanding
about how we maintain the fundamental tenants of our democracy and are
constantly vigilant on that. So would I have changed anything that I have done? I will not change my actions. I will not make decisions that aren’t based on
principles or the values that I have always embraced
and I think that that will resonate with Canadians and to my former caucus
colleagues in the Liberal Party but generally to all people that are wanting
to become members of parliament leading up into October. There is a way that we
can actually engage in political discussions in a different way and that
we can be guided by principles and values and I understand the nature of
politics and I am not discounting political parties but we need to make
decisions based on principle, we need to make decisions with all
Canadians in mind. And maybe we can just be a little less partisan when we
make those decisions because when we make decisions with our partisan hats
off we make better and longer-lasting more sustainable solutions and bring
forward ideas about how we can combat the important issues that are facing us. All right, I’ll leave it there. Thank you so much for making time for us, Ms. Wilson Raybould, really appreciate it. Thank you very much.
If Epstein would've had a gun in his cell, he wouldn't have committed suicide
Trudeau should be charged and prosecuted.
Can we all agree to kick out all the Chinese people out of canada. They're useless and contribute nothing positive to our country
A DPP for SNC was denied months ago and still is not being prosecuted. Why?
Law only applies to regular people.
lol. refugees and weed. Just look at it.
Vassy’s catch phrase could be “I take your point”
The RCMP would have called in the army to help round up Conservatives for a public lynching if Stephen Harper would have done this. The CBC would be applauding it. I guess with the Liberals the RCMP figure “meh not so much”.
Lobbying . Bribery. Same same.
Justin Trudeau should be investigated further by the RCMP.
To be honest she's the only government employee i know of willing to say NO!
Take a lesson minions
Federal ballot in time please ma'am!
nice you got JWR out, I think you are the only ones… thusfar
$30,000 spent…
To service the son of a dictator…
Jobs, jobs, jobs…
This must at least be investigated by the RCMP. The Rule of Law in Canada is at stake. It all falls apart from here.
Did she not get enough camera and microphone so far ?!?!?!
I have just about had it with SNC Lavallin and Mrs Wilson-Raybould.
He turned out to be not very smart Justin T. that is and you will see people like this look for easy ways to side track protocol. Thus a series of corrupt acts looking to take payoffs/bribes in the form of liberal party private dinners.
This is the lady that passed the law that you can screw your pet write !
This lady tries to do her job and that little embarrassing turd of a PM forces her out and now she has been ousted for doing the right thing while the turd carries on like nothing happened. Disgusting.
I was thinking today as an avg long term Canadian, what has Justin Trudeau done for me? I couldn't think of anything. I got a rebate for some windows but I think that was Kathleen wynne… that's all I can think of.
Also I was thinking about how embarrassing he is on a global scale and how damaging it is for Canada having the turd deal with China and Trump. We are heading for a recession and we need someone who wont get picked on by the big boys in the school yard. Justin is the kid standing by himself in the corner.
i love her, great person, can we elect her as PM?
One lis leads to others lies
Thanks for electing the Tories, Jody, like they have such a great history on Native Issues. You actually wan't those dog-whistling, hyper-partisan hacks running Canada, led by an Anti-Abortionist? Way to screw Natives and Women in one fell swoop, Jody!
What nonsense. Of course the PM can and should talk to each and all Ministers. JWR is full of it. Just days before the Globe broke the story last year, the CPC were asking for her resignation charging her with grosse incompetence. Trudeau did the right thing in talking to her about the wider public interest. Her head was in the clouds and her feet not on the ground. She made many wrong decisions at Justice.
CBC trying to steer away from Justine's guilt in any way possible. $1.5B of Taxpayer well spent.
The only apologies he can give is for OTHERS mistakes.
Good going, you just screwed Canada
Jodie for PM
Trudeau is the one in the wrong, but JWR and Phillpotts are the ones punished by Trudeau for being ethical in this matter. What a feminist. Let's punish Trudeau by ousting him in October.
Go away. It wasn’t up to this MP to undermine an entire party over, let’s see, wanting to preserve some jobs. I don’t like it, but now we’ll have a decade of conservatives sucking off the oil industry.
Cbc working to keep nxivm boy out of prison
She had a direct line to the PM and never said a word until she needed leverage
Moooham was an infant's man
Justine Peoplekind is Mr? Wynne TOAST !
Trudeau should be charged and convicted of treason!!!!!! Which is punishable by hanging!!!!!!!!!
Jody if you yes honey you become the prime minister we can have Canada back please chase that little crook right out of our office JODY make KUNADA great again can you believe auto correct will not recognize Canada's real indigenous true name
Trudoh is the holy judge who decides who is guilty and who is not. His narcissistic character explains why he admires dictators in China the most
Revelation
I dont care about this i care about the 10.5 million he gave to a terrorists who killed a medic with a grenade because hes rights were violated. He tried to keep it know
You cannot trust the CBC …..EVER……to be fair. They will always serve their masters the Liberals. Defunding this radical organization is the only answer.
Justin Trudeau has one set of rules for himself and another set for the citizens of Canada.
Trudeau should step down.
Wilson-Raybould is a descendant of the Musgamagw Tsawataineuk and Laich-Kwil-Tach peoples, which are part of the Kwakwaka’wakw, also known as the Kwak’wala-speaking peoples. She is a member of the We Wai Kai Nation. Wilson-Raybould carries the Kwak’wala name Puglaas which roughly translates to "woman born to noble people".
Basically, corporations are writing the laws, and government is merely passes them.
Explains a lot doesn't it
Trudeau and Liberals must go. Need adults back in charge
It is Stephen Harpers fault
Who cares what this traitor says? Her allegiance is to indigenous community only, which is why she really wanted to punish Trudeau….he did not give her everything she wants.
Is this the next Liberal leader?
You got to ask the question: what world was she sitting in when the liberals passed a bill allowing for a company such as Lavelin to get off the hook?. As minister of justice she must have been involved in developing this, and understood the motivation behind it. There were many newspaper reports of multiple meetings between officials and Lavelin. For her to say she was unaware of the extent of lobbying does suggest she and her staff must have been moving around with their blinkers on.
Liberals have been nothing but scandals man Dalton McGinty, Justin , kathrine Wynne
This is ridiculous. All he does is apologize. Not saying sorry is downright… UNCANADIAN.
Say Sorry. Saaaay it!!!!
Pretty easy to see the Stripe of The CBC ..
Justin was found guilty of a serious ethics crime.
The liberal government should be dissolved immediately and an election held within 14 days.
This woman will never be PM.
Canada has to have better than a.man that lies over and over and. Breaks our laws….it is pathetic. How low will be put our standards…..
He should resign and call for elections.
Wilson-Raybould is just as corrupt as Trudeau – she made pedophilia legal in Canada aka Yaniv making it legal to sexually violate women and children. She is just as bad as Trudeau – no ethics or morals
J. Trudeau needs to re-think his position and give a public apology to his past ministers. Failing to do that will surely secure my vote for an alternate party come election time.
Mr. Trudeau…..Be a man!
Hey hey hey goodbye . Could this be the nail in trudeaus coffin finally.
I am quite pleased that this woman shined some light on the nature of our disgusting PM but something tells me that she rose to the top with the government because she is a woman and practiced law rather than because she is an accomplished, experienced, intellectually superior individual.
JWR, so awesome with her words, she's a lawyer/ no worries siver/cbc will investigate till no one (his wife, telford/morneau) are not held accountable, re; pete. trudeau give the rcmp gift card to timmys again.
MS. Wilson-Raybould is a great loss to our country and hope she will be back in Parliament
what a politician lots of words and said nothing
I trust this sqwa
were you threatened At All by Justin Trudeau Jody
Trudeau for impeachment Trudeau for jail trudeau to move to Pakistan
Kapelos is not a very good interviewer. What happened to the quality of this show.
Are you kidding me?
This isn't the real CBC ,there doesn't seem to be much bias.
Very strange indeed.
Maybe they realize the honeymoon is over and the divorce is coming in October.
WHY HAS NOT THE CBC BEEN INVESTIGATED????< YOU WILL BE! YOU WILL BE!!!
It's not a secret to know that narcissists don't apologize.
Canadians know it only too well.
She's pretty dodgy, good lawyer, talks but doesn't commit. She just won't let Justin have it!
We need real change in the government! No more parties! Vote for an independent.
Jody is so principled!! I seriously hope she and Jane Philpott are re-elected in October.
classy lady
Could be the case that are not ethics and morals on politics?
From when Canadian care about ethics or integrity ……
No one ask these from the mental sickness. let's see the ground of Canada
No tears cried in the west for jobs lost in the east. Wonder if JT would stick his neck out for AB companies that bribe ghadaffis with prostitutes.
He says he excepts the report ……… but smugly defends his wrong doing. ……. Anyone with integrated would step down.
Criminal Code ( R.S.C. , 1985, c.
139 (1) Every one who wilfully attempts in any manner to obstruct, pervert or defeat the course of justice in a judicial proceeding, (a) by indemnifying or agreeing to indemnify a surety, in any way and either in whole or in part, or.

https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca › acts
She's got my vote.